“I moved here from New York,” Tory started, tucking a strand of golden-brown hair behind her ear. “It’s been quite an adjustment, I’m not going to lie. But I’m starting to really like it here.”

“So all the shifter talk hasn’t scared you off?” Pierce joked.

“You know, I did think you and your friends were all similarly… burly,” she laughed. “I’m assuming they’re shifters, too?”

“All except for Joanne’s brother,” he replied. “Will’s actually next in line for Alpha of the clan. His dad is the current leader, but he’s getting up there in age, and now that Will is getting married to his mate, it seems everything is falling into place.”

“That sounds like a lot of responsibility,” Tory said.

“It is, but Will’s up for it. He’s always been the responsible one,” Pierce grinned.

“Unlike you?” she asked, smiling at him.

“I’m evolving,” he laughed.

“Hmm,” Tory hummed, tapping her chin with her finger. “I wonder what the less evolved Pierce was like.”

“I partied a lot,” he admitted. “Didn’t take much seriously. Kind of coasted, really. But I got a dose of reality recently.”

Tory looked intrigued, but Pierce hesitated. Should he say more? This was supposed to be a fun, light date, but somehow, things had gotten unexpectedly deep. He didn’t mind, though. It was a nice change of pace, actually.

But perhaps death in the family was better suited for a third date, or at least a second.

“Don’t think I don’t see what you’re doing,” he arched a brow at Tory. “We were supposed to be talking about you. Have you always been a teacher?”

“God, no,” she blurted out, flushing slightly as she did.

Chuckling, Pierce sipped his drink.

“Oh please, go on,” he prompted.

“I didn’t mean it like that,” she shook her head, laughing. “But teaching was never really something I envisioned myself doing. I used to be a professional dancer. Part of one of the best troupes of New York. We did modern showcases, mostly. I actually started out with ballet as a kid, but I fell in love with the whole concept of dancing soon after.”

There was a glint in Tory’s eye as she talked about what was clearly her great passion in life. Pierce didn’t need to be a great dancer to appreciate her love for the art. It was beautiful, the way she lit up. Everyone should be lucky enough to find something they loved so much.

But her expression fell a little when she carried on.

“I was injured over a year ago,” she said, avoiding his gaze all of the sudden. “It wasn’t the same after that. My body couldn’t take the strain of that career anymore. It was tough to accept that.”

“I can only imagine,” Pierce replied. “I’m sorry that happened.”

“Thanks,” she said, giving him a weak smile. “I’m over it now. Mostly.”

Their eyes locked and Pierce reached across the table, taking her hand in his. She looked surprised at first, but didn’t pull away. Instead, she squeezed his fingers, tilting her head at him.

“You make me feel… not like myself,” she admitted, narrowing her eyes at him.

“And you think if you look at me long enough, you’ll find out why?” he asked.

“Maybe,” she pursed her lips. “And you are pretty good to look at.”

“Ooh, a compliment,” he raised a brow at her. “I guess you’re okay, too.”

Tory scoffed, playing at being offended, but there was a smile on her face.

“Just okay?” she questioned. “And are you always so persistent on getting a date with someone you think is ‘okay’?”

“All right, you got me,” he replied. “You’re stunning, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since we first met.”

It was a risk, being that honest. But Pierce didn’t feel like holding back. He wanted Tory to know exactly how he felt. It was still too early to confess the big truth – that he was sure she was his mate – but he wanted to be as candid as possible, without scaring her away.

Tory smiled, her beautiful face glowing in the candlelight.

“I’d say that’s a lot better than ‘okay’,” she said.

“Then you better hold on, because I’m just getting started,” he replied with a grin.

* * *

With the plates and glasses in front of them empty and the restaurant nearing closing time, Pierce watched Tory laugh across the table. Conversation had flown freely all through dinner, and it seemed like they were both completely at ease with each other.

They had seamlessly moved from heavier topics to lighter ones, with Pierce regaling her with stories of teenage mischief. Like the time he, Will and Gage snuck out to hang out with some girls, only to get dragged home by their parents.

“Ouch,” Tory remarked. “That had to be embarrassing.”

“Oh, teenage me thought it was the worst thing to ever happen,” Pierce chuckled. “Looking like a fool in front of my crush? Terrible,” he shook his head. “In hindsight though, we really should have thought about the fact our folks could easily track us down by scent alone.”

“Damn,” Tory said. “You’re making me appreciate my human parents. At least they couldn’t smell where I was.”

“Well, Black Oak is also a small town, as you might have noticed. Not many places for teenagers to hang out in. That kind of narrows the search down.”

“I never got in trouble as a kid,” Tory replied. “I never had the time. I was always running from one practice to the next.”

“But you don’t regret it,” Pierce stated.

“I don’t,” she confirmed, smiling. “I always needed to be the best. And I was willing to put in the work.”

“You’re going to be one amazing teacher, then,” he replied.

“I think you have a lot more faith in me at this point than I do, but I appreciate it,” Tory said.

The waiter chose that moment to appear with their bill, and Pierce quickly paid it, ignoring Tory’s objections.

“I pestered you into this date, so it’s only fair,” he said, and that seemed to be enough for Tory.

“All right,” she shrugged. “Next one’s on me, then.”

“Next one?” Pierce arched a brow at her. “Bold assumption. What if I say no?”

“You wouldn’t dare,” she laughed.

They got up from the table, with Pierce helping her with her leather jacket. They made their way to the door, stepping out into the chill of the night. The streets were mostly empty, with lights glowing behind nearby windows.

Tory clutched her jacket tighter, shuffling on her feet.

“Can I walk you home?” Pierce asked.

She nodded, pointing to the right.

“My apartment is down that street, near what Joanne called the best coffee shop in town,” she said.

“She would know,” Pierce chuckled, taking her hand in his. “That woman is a caffeine fiend.”

Tory’s hand was small in his palm, her skin soft against his calloused hand. Pierce loved the way she casually leaned against him as they walked toward her place, like they had been on a hundred dates already.

Their time together had flown past, and Pierce wasn’t ready to say goodbye.

“They’re coming in for a private lesson tomorrow, Will and her,” Tory replied.

They chatted more about the upcoming wedding, and how Gage had offered up his ranch and the considerable land surrounding it for a venue. But far too soon, Tory came to a stop in front of a red brick apartment building, with a small stoop leading up to the front door.

“This is me,” she said. “For now, at least.”

Pierce still held on to her hand as they stood there, the air between them suddenly filling up with tension. He stepped closer, intertwining his fingers with hers, and the quickening thud of her heart was music to his ears.

“I had a great time with you tonight,” he said.

“Me, too,” she replied, grinning as he held her gaze.

Pierce was getting ready to lean in and kiss her when she spoke again, the words rushing out.

“Do you want to come up for a drink?” she asked, making him raise his brows.

So maybe she was as reluctant to call it a night as he was. Pierce smiled to himself, his bear growling softly in his chest. The thought popped into his head that maybe he should slow down, take it easy with Tory.

Ah, who am I kidding?

There was no way he was going to say no to his mate, and he knew it.